Based on numerous reports, including one from Dreger this morning, Clarkson wants to be a Leaf as much as the Leafs want him. If you listen to how excited Bolland was on radio interview about being to come home to play for his childhood team, you can expect the same for Clarkson.
Which is not to say he'll play here for peanuts, but anything semi-competitive and Clarkson will sign here. Now, in this crazy market, semi-competitive I think we're still talking about $4-4.5M x 4-5 years, which is overpayment, but not THAT bad.
I asked the same question - Clowe vs. Clarkson. However, in Clarkson, you more or less know what you're going to get. In Clowe you may be getting an Armstrong ... Clowe with his injuries and his poor season in 2012/13 is a big gamble. Clowe is also 1 yr older but apparently a lot more banged up. Which is not to say no, but he'd have to come a LOT cheaper for me to consider.
I'd say if Clarkson is Plan A, Clowe is Plan B.
And for the record, I like Clarkson ... I'd just hate to see us overpaying him massively for his 'intangibles'.